CemAir is advising that it can’t – at this stage – assist with re-accommodating stranded passengers, following the grounding of the airline by the South Africa Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA).

“At this stage, our hands are tied and we cannot offer alternative solutions to our customers. As such, we advise you to book an alternative journey to your destinations and we will advise at the soonest possible time about a refund process for your booking with CemAir,” the airline said in a statement.

The airline added that it had submitted multiple possible solutions to the problems highlighted by the CAA, but claims all solutions were rejected, indicative of “malicious intent by the CAA to bring CemAir to its knees by grounding it unnecessarily at peak season”.